Venezuela Horse Riding

Venezuela Horse Riding

Offering the most varied and striking terrain of almost any South American country, come to gorgeous Venezuela to see the Andes shrouded in snow, the tantalising Caribbean beaches where jungle cascades down to the shore, the indescribable depths of the endless Amazon rainforest, and the eerie beauty of Gran Sabana with its unique flat topped mountains. Experience Latin American fiesta spirit as you dance the night away in one of Venezuela's traditional live music bars, sample outstanding fresh fish as you watch the Caribbean sunset, spot river dolphins, caimans, or even big cats near the Rio Orinoco – all this and more awaits you in this irresistible destination!

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

See some of the most striking terrain in South America

Bring joy & laughter to the children you work with

Make lifelong friends

FAST FACTS

Location

Santa Elena, Venezuela

Activities

Caring for & feeding the horses
Maintenance work
Looking after the equipment
Therapeutic work with the children

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

Anyone with an interest in horses or children will particularly enjoy this project as you will be working with horses to provide therapy for children with special needs. You do not need any prior experience as training will be given by the staff horse therapist.

Daily duties will include the care and feeding of the horses and maintenance of the paddock, arena and field shelter as well as looking after the saddlery and equipment. You will be assisting with the children's therapeutic riding lessons as a side walker or even a horse leader, and keeping records of their progress.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?

You'll fly into Caracas and travel 22 hours southeast to the project site in Santa Elena using local bus services and following the clear and simple instructions provided. You will be met at the bus station in Santa Elena and shown to your accommodation in the project village. For a small extra cost, we may be able to organise for a representative to meet you at Caracas airport, escort you to the bus station and put you on the right bus.

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

You will be living in shared accommodation within the purpose built project village. Part of your time will be spent maintaining the shared house and the village and tasks will be shared amongst all volunteers.

You will have a shared bedroom and bathroom with access to kitchen facilities. Single rooms are also available at an additional charge.

Within the village there are gardens, wading pool, hammock terrace, craft wood workshop and a field for games of football and frisbee. There are also fire-pits which volunteers gather round for social evenings under the starlit South American skies.

WHAT WILL I BE EATING?

Snacks and refreshments are provided and you will share the cooking of three meals a day with your fellow volunteers.

Venezuela's cuisine is quite unique and there is nothing else quite like it in the world. Venezuelan food and drink tends to be highly regional. Many of the dishes in Venezuela are based on French, Italian, and Spanish recipes, but have evolved over the years to become uniquely Venezuelan.

Fresh fish and shellfish make up many coastal recipes. Tubers such as potatoes and yucca are quite common in the highlands. Corn, rice and pasta are found everywhere. Many tropical fruits and vegetables make up dishes from Amazon regions. Spices such as cumin are often used as well.

Pabellon is the delicious national dish of Venezuela and consists of rice, black beans and banana covered in stewed and shredded meat. If you fancy a snack, then try an arepa. These are made of corn flour, water, and salt and often fried or baked. They can be topped with a number of ingredients such as chicken, ham, cheese, or jam.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

There is a huge variety of things to do in Venezuela, all of which can be booked with local providers, helping to support the local economy. Why not try mountain trekking or rock climbing in the Sierra Nevada de Mérida, ride the world's longest and highest cable car (teleférico), which runs 12.6 km (7.9 miles) from Mérida to the top of Pico Espejo, providing easy access to starting points for mountain treks.

Parque Nacional Mochima on the north east coast offers excellent snorkelling and diving with dozens of offshore islands and islets, some – like the popular Isla de Plata – surrounded by coral reefs. The Cueva del Guácharo is the most spectacular of Venezuela's many cave systems where you can hear the eerie screeching of thousands of Guácharos (Oilbirds), a type of nocturnal bird that inhabits the subterranean dwelling. There are hundreds of exotic bird species such as hummingbirds, herons, Tanagers, Toucanets and Curassows at the Parque Nacional Henri Pittier on the central northern coast.

If you enjoy beach life, swimming and delicious, fresh seafood then pop over to Isla de Margarita, Venezuela's largest Caribbean isle with 168 km (104 miles) of beaches. With so much to do and see, you can be sure that you will never be bored in Venezuela!

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

To apply for this placement, click on "Apply Now" below. Fill in the short application form and one of our advisers will then call you back to answer any questions and make sure this is the perfect placement for you. Applying doesn't cost a penny and you won't pay anything until you're completely happy and you're ready to reserve your place.